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Criterion
Paper illustration of a Polarity Map with two poles and four quadrants
Systems Thinking
Polarity Mapping
Paper illustration with architecture components and concrete change tasks for comparison.
Architecture
SAAM (Software Architecture Analysis Method)
Paper illustration of System Dynamics Simulation with its method-specific working model.
Systems Thinking
System Dynamics Simulation
Paper illustration for Behavior Over Time Graph.
Systems Thinking
Behavior Over Time Graph
Purposedifferent
Polarity Mapping makes tensions between two opposing poles tangible, such as standardization and adaptation or control and autonomy. The method guards against making apparent either-or decisions prematurely.SAAM helps teams judge an architecture’s suitability for selected tasks and changes. It is particularly useful for examining modifiability and comparing architecture alternatives with clear reasoning.System Dynamics Simulation makes assumptions about time, delay, and feedback testable through experiments. It draws relationships, patterns, and feedback loops. The result is captured as a simulation model and scenario reports.A Behavior Over Time Graph shows how a metric or observation develops over time. The method makes trends, breaks, and recurring patterns visible that get lost in snapshots.
Complexitydifferent
MediumHighHighLow
Timedifferent
1-2 hPreparation, scenario analysis, and findings review; effort depends on scopeMehrere Tage bis Wochen20-45 min
Participantsdifferent
3-12Architecture experts and stakeholders for scenarios and weighting1-5 Modellierende, Stakeholder asynchron1-10
Formatdifferent
WorkshopWorkshop + asyncAsyncWorkshop + async
Outputdifferent
Polarity Map, Warning Signs, Balance ActionsDomain functions mapped to components and connections, Quality attributes and evaluation criteria, Typical tasks and their effects on the architecture, Reasoned evaluation or comparison of alternativesSimulation Model, Scenario ReportsBehavior Over Time Graph, Trend Hypotheses, Key Events
Tagsno overlap
Systems thinkingTradeoffsLeadership
ArchitectureChangeAnalysisComparisonQuality
Systems thinkingDynamicsSimulationAnalysis
Systems thinkingPatternsDynamics
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